The sensitivity of copepods to ocean acidification (OA) and warming may increase with time, however, studies >10days and on synergistic effects are rare. We therefore incubated late copepodites and females of two dominant Arctic species, Calanus glacialis and Calanushyperboreus, at 0°C at 390 and 3000μatm pCO2 for several months in fall/winter 2010. Respiration rates, body mass and mortality in both species and life stages did not change with pCO2. To detect synergistic effects, in 2011 C. hyperboreus females were kept at different pCO2 and temperatures (0, 5, 10°C). Incubation at 10°C induced sublethal stress, which might have overruled effects of pCO2. At 5°C and 3000μatm, body carbon was significantly lowest indicating a synergistic effect. The copepods, thus, can tolerate pCO2 predicted for a future ocean, but in combination with increasing temperatures they could be sensitive to OA.

The sensitivity of copepods to ocean acidification (OA) and warming may increase with time, however, studies >10 days and on synergistic effects are rare. We therefore incubated late copepodites and females of two dominant Arctic species, Calanus glacialis and Calanus hyperboreus, at 0 °C at 390 and 3000 µatm pCO2 for several months in fall/winter 2010. Respiration rates, body mass and mortality in both species and life stages did not change with pCO2. To detect synergistic effects, in 2011 C. hyperboreus females were kept at different pCO2 and temperatures (0, 5, 10 °C). Incubation at 10 °C induced sublethal stress, which might have overruled effects of pCO2. At 5 °C and 3000 µatm, body carbon was significantly lowest indicating a synergistic effect. The copepods, thus, can tolerate pCO2 predicted for a future ocean, but in combination with increasing temperatures they could be sensitive to OA.

The sensitivity of copepods to ocean acidification (OA) and warming may increase with time, however, studies >10 days and on synergistic effects are rare. We therefore incubated late copepodites and females of two dominant Arctic species, Calanus glacialis and C. hyperboreus, at 0 °C at 390 and 3000 µatm pCO2 for several months in fall/winter 2010. Respiration rates, body mass and mortality in both species and life stages did not change with pCO2. To detect synergistic effects, in 2011 C. hyperboreus females were kept at different pCO2 and temperatures (0, 5, 10 °C). Incubation at 10 °C induced sublethal stress, which might have overruled effects of pCO2. At 5 °C and 3000 µatm, body carbon was significantly lowest indicating a synergistic effect. The copepods, thus, can tolerate pCO2 predicted for a future ocean, but in combination with increasing temperatures they could be sensitive to OA.

Surface sediments were collected from sixteen locations in order to assess levels and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments of Qatar exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Samples were analyzed for 16 parent PAHs, 18 alkyl homologs and for dibenzothiophenes. Total PAHs concentration (∑PAHs) ranged from 2.6ngg−1 to 1025ngg−1. The highest PAHs concentrations were in sediments in and adjacent to harbors. Alkylated PAHs predominated most of the sampling locations reaching up to 80% in offshore locations. Parent PAHs and parent high molecular weight PAHs dominated location adjacent to industrial activities and urban areas. The origin of PAHs sources to the sediments was elucidated using ternary plot, indices, and molecular ratios of specific compounds such as (Ant/Phe+Ant), (Flt/Flt+Pyr). PAHs inputs to most coastal sites consisted of mixture of petroleum and combustion derived sources. However, inputs to the offshore sediments were mainly of petroleum origin.

Surface sediments were collected from sixteen locations in order to assess levels and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments of Qatar exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Samples were analyzed for 16 parent PAHs, 18 alkyl homologs and for dibenzothiophenes. Total PAHs concentration (?PAHs) ranged from 2.6 ng g-1 to 1025 ng g-1. The highest PAHs concentrations were in sediments in and adjacent to harbors. Alkylated PAHs predominated most of the sampling locations reaching up to 80% in offshore locations. Parent PAHs and parent high molecular weight PAHs dominated location adjacent to industrial activities and urban areas. The origin of PAHs sources to the sediments was elucidated using ternary plot, indices, and molecular ratios of specific compounds such as (Ant/Phe + Ant), (Flt/Flt + Pyr). PAHs inputs to most coastal sites consisted of mixture of petroleum and combustion derived sources. However, inputs to the offshore sediments were mainly of petroleum origin. | Qatar University supported investigation, QUSG-CAS-SPR-11/12-1 | Scopus

Among marine debris, monofilament fishing lines often result in negative impacts on marine organisms. We characterized marine debris and incidence of lost and discarded monofilament lines along beaches used by recreational fishers, and report the impact of lines on Kelp Gulls (Larus dominicanus) at the Bahía San Blas protected area, site of one of the main shore-based recreational fisheries of the southwestern Atlantic. Over 55% of the marine debris recorded originated from recreational fishing activities. Balls of tangled monofilament lines were found at a rate of 40.5 items per km. A total of 27 adult Kelp Gulls were found entangled with monofilament. All individuals were tangled to vegetation within colony boundaries. Four of the gulls had a monofilament line protruding from the bill, showing that they may be also killed when trying to obtain bait. Our results indicate that lost or discarded monofilament lines in the Bahía San Blas recreational fishing area result in undesired impacts on coastal wildlife.

Among marine debris, monofilament fishing lines often result in negative impacts on marine organisms. We characterized marine debris and incidence of lost and discarded monofilament lines along beaches used by recreational fishers, and report the impact of lines on Kelp Gulls (Larus dominicanus) at the Bahía San Blas protected area, site of one of the main shore-based recreational fisheries of the southwestern Atlantic. Over 55% of the marine debris recorded originated from recreational fishing activities. Balls of tangled monofilament lines were found at a rate of 40.5 items per km. A total of 27 adult Kelp Gulls were found entangled with monofilament. All individuals were tangled to vegetation within colony boundaries. Four of the gulls had a monofilament line protruding from the bill, showing that they may be also killed when trying to obtain bait. Our results indicate that lost or discarded monofilament lines in the Bahía San Blas recreational fishing area result in undesired impacts on coastal wildlife. | Fil: Yorio, Pablo Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentina. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados Unidos | Fil: Marinao, Cristian Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentina | Fil: Suarez, Nicolas Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentina

In the present work, abundance, spatial distribution and qualitative composition, of benthic marine litter, were investigated in five study areas from the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Seas (Saronikos, Patras and Echinades Gulfs; Limassol Gulf; Constanta Bay). Surveys were performed using the monitoring protocol proposed by the Technical Group for Marine Litter. Densities ranged from 24items/km2 to 1211items/km2, with the Saronikos Gulf being the most affected area. Plastics were predominant in all study areas ranging from 45.2% to 95%. Metals and Glass/Ceramics reached maximum values of 21.9% and of 22.4%. The size distribution of litter items showed that ⩾50% fall into medium size categories (10×10cm, 20×20cm) along with an elevated percentage of small-sized (<5×5cm) plastic litter items. The comparative analysis of the data highlighted the dependence of the marine litter problem on many local factors (human sources and oceanographic conditions) and the urgent need for specific actions.

In the present work, abundance, spatial distribution and qualitative composition, of benthic marine litter, were investigated in five study areas from the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Seas (Saronikos, Patras and Echinades Gulfs; Limassol Gulf; Constanta Bay). Surveys were performed using the monitoring protocol proposed by the Technical Group for Marine Litter. Densities ranged from 24 items/km(2) to 1211 items/km(2), with the Saronikos Gulf being the most affected area. Plastics were predominant in all study areas ranging from 45.2% to 95%. Metals and Glass/Ceramics reached maximum values of 21.9% and of 22.4%. The size distribution of litter items showed that >= 50% fall into medium size categories (10 x 10 cm, 20 x 20 cm) along with an elevated percentage of small-sized (<5 x 5 cm) plastic litter items. The comparative analysis of the data highlighted the dependence of the marine litter problem on many local factors (human sources and oceanographic conditions) and the urgent need for specific actions.

The annual variation in neustonic plastic particles and zooplankton was studied in the Bay of Calvi (Corsica) between 30 August 2011 and 7 August 2012. Plastic particles were classified into three size classes, small microplastics (0.2–2 mm), large microplastics (2–5 mm) and mesoplastics (5–10 mm). 74% of the 38 samples contained plastic particles of varying composition: e.g. filaments, polystyrene, thin plastic films. An average concentration of 6.2 particles/100 m2 was observed. The highest abundance values (69 particles/100 m2) observed occurred during periods of low offshore wind conditions. These values rose in the same order of magnitude as in previous studies in the North Western Mediterranean. The relationships between the abundance values of the size classes between zooplankton and plastic particles were then examined. The ratio for the intermediate size class (2–5 mm) reached 2.73. This would suggest a potential confusion for predators regarding planktonic prey of this size class.

peer reviewed | The annual variation in neustonic plastic particles and zooplankton was studied in the Bay of Calvi 23 (Corsica) between 30 August 2011 and 7 August 2012. Plastic particles were classified into three size classes, small microplastics (0.2–2 mm), large microplastics (2–5 mm) and mesoplastics (5–10 mm). 74% of the 38 samples contained plastic particles of varying composition: e.g. filaments, polystyrene, thin plastic films. An average concentration of 6.2 particles/100 m2 was observed. The highest abundance values (69 particles/100 m2) observed occurred during periods of low offshore wind conditions. These values rose in the same order of magnitude as in previous studies in the North Western Mediterranean. The relationships between the abundance values of the size classes between zooplankton and plastic particles were then examined. The ratio for the intermediate size class (2–5 mm) reached 2.73. This would suggest a potential confusion for predators regarding planktonic prey of this size class.

PR | IFPRI4 | DSGD